Dear colleagues,

I hope that you have had a restful weekend after a super busy week.  Our seniors are back with us this week. Thanks to Phil and the technicians for supporting the SQA exams so thoroughly for our young people in the last weeks. They went as smoothly as they possibly could have.

Thanks to Claire, the PTs PS and everyone who ensured that our P7 transition was successful.  The welcome/expectations presentation shared are below along with a video overview of the three days.

Thanks also to Duncan and Marie-Claire for taking our seniors to Loch Eil for an excellent Outward Bound experience last week.  The pictures below capture the important moments of the trip where our young people were both challenged and stretched and those where they found success.

I am pleased to share that Ashley Montgomery from McLaren High School was appointed on Friday to share (0.4 Monday/Tuesday) Phil DHT Campsie temp post.  Ashley will take up post in August. As well as sharing the lead for Campsie House, Ashley will lead on tracking participation, wider achievement and celebrating success.  Ashley will also lead the coordination of form class time.  I know you will join me in welcoming her when she joins us.

Raising attainment

It already feels like we are ahead of this time last year having had two clear weeks of the new timetable. A crucial part of our raising attainment strategy for next session is the move to a new tracking system,  which will better allow us to track, intervene and more easily analyse progress over time.  This will be a key feature of our SIP 2025-26.

Finding Your Thing Matters #buildingfuturestogether 

Thanks to Neil Cameron and Fiona Fowler for organising our Future Pathways event for Monday.  We have a range of providers from apprenticeships, colleges, universities and the world of work at Balfron to meet and inspire our young people.  This is an opportunity for our young people to reflect on their abilities and skills, consider and find their thing and plan for their pathway.  Thanks again to Neil and the team. Please note that all seniors are expected to be on timetable on Monday afternoon.

Thanks are also due to Ashley Edwards for organising and supporting the smooth running of the Rock Gig on Friday.  The number of young people involved in the rock bands is steadily rising., It's great to see those who have found their thing and been confident to share it. It was also really super to see so many staff in the theatre supporting both groups. Thanks for sending me photos and videos - I've shared below.

Learning, Teaching & Assessment

Thanks to Sheena for organising the Tri-Learning groups of nine feedback meeting.  It was great to see everyone for sharing observations and contributing to rich pedagogical discussion.  Michelle has organised another lunch and learn session on Wednesday 18 June where colleagues will be sharing their Active Inspire resources.  Remember we have a fantastic professional learning Google Classroom called Active Learners as well as the L&T website and Toolkits.  Much more great detail below.

School Trips next year (S2)

There have been some fabulous school trips offered again this session. In order to minimise disruption to classes, we plan to run the S2 Mediterranean adventure during the last week of term.  I would like to offer a short, more local alternative for S2 in the last week of summer term.  This may be as straight forward as an Alton Towers trip.  If you have suggestions, please see David or me.

I hope you will be able to come along and support our production of Grease.  See Anna Barrie for tickets.

Another busy week lies ahead. As always, thanks in advance for your hard work and professionalism. 

Have a great week.  #buildingfuturestogether

Elaine